prising adventure with the existence of Longue-épine and her mother, who were imprisoned in the Castle of the Three Points, and who had taken the name, one of Désirée, and the other of her lady-in-waiting.
His passion, however, flattered him. We are naturally inclined to persuade ourselves of the truth of that which we desire; and upon such an occasion, one must die with impatience, or obtain an explanation. Without a moment's delay, he went and knocked gently at the door where the Princess was. Giroflée, never doubting but that it was the good old woman, and needing her assistance to bandage her mistress's arm, hastened to open the door; and was much surprised to see the Prince, who entered, and threw himself at the feet of Désirée. The transports which excited him interfered so much to prevent his making any connected speech, that, notwithstanding the pains I have taken to ascertain exactly what he said in these first moments, I have found no one who could much enlighten me on the subject. The Princess felt equally perplexed to answer him; but Love, who often acts as interpreter to dumb people, became a third in the party, and persuaded them both that nothing had ever been said so well, or at least nothing so touching and so tender. Tears, sighs, vows, and even some sweet smiles, succeeded. Thus passed the night. Daylight appeared without Désirée ever thinking about it; and she did not, as usual, take the form of a Hind. Nothing could equal her joy at this discovery; she was too fond of the Prince not to make him the partaker of her delight. She then recited her history to him, which she did with a natural grace and eloquence that far surpassed that of the most skilful narrator.
"What!" exclaimed the Prince, "my charming Princess! is it you I wounded under the form of a white hind? What can I do to expiate so great a crime? Will it suffice to die with grief before your eyes?" He was so sadly afflicted that his distress was painfully visible in his countenance. Désirée suffered more from that than from her wound. She assured him it was a mere trifle, and that she could not help blessing an accident which procured her so much happiness.
The manner in which she spoke to him was so kind, that
